Method of wrapping elongate product, especially cable harnesses

ABSTRACT

A wrap for wrapping elongate product, especially cable harnesses, with a preferably textile sheath, wherein there is a self-adhesive tape present on at least one edge region of the sheath that is narrow in comparison to the width of the sheath, said tape being adhered on the sheath in such a way that it extends over one of the longitudinal edges of the sheath, the textile sheath and the adhesive tape having one or more weakening lines substantially at right angles to the running direction, so that the wrap is relatively easy to tear by hand.

[0001] The invention relates to a method of wrapping elongate product,especially cable harnesses, with a textile sheath.

[0002] The use of adhesive tapes with a nonwoven web backing forbandaging cable harnesses is known. For instance, DE 94 01 037 U1describes an adhesive tape having a tapelike textile backing comprisinga stitchbonded web formed in turn from a large number of stitches whichhave been sewn in and which run parallel to one another. On the basis ofits special design, the adhesive tape described exhibits soundproofingproperties in the course of its use for cable harness bandaging.

[0003] Besides the stitchbonded nonwoven mentioned in DE 94 01 037 U1,there are further backings used in adhesive tapes for cable harnessbandaging. DE 44 42 092 C1 describes such an adhesive tape, based onstitchbonded webs, which is coated on the reverse of the backing. DE 4442 093 C1 is based on the use of a web as backing for an adhesive tape,said web being a cross-laid fiber web which is reinforced by theformation of loops from the fibers of the web, i.e., a web known to theperson skilled in the art by the name Malifleece. DE 44 42 507 C1discloses an adhesive tape for cable bandaging, but bases it on what areknown as Kunit or Multiknit webs.

[0004] DE 195 23 494 C1 discloses the use of an adhesive tape having abacking comprising web material for bandaging cable harnesses, said tapebeing coated on one side with an adhesive. The web employed inaccordance with the invention is a polypropylene spunbonded web which isthermally consolidated and embossed with the aid of a calender, theembossing roll having an embossing area of from 10% to 30%, preferably19%.

[0005] DE 298 04 431 U1 likewise discloses the use of an adhesive tapehaving a backing comprising web material for the bandaging of cableharnesses, the proposed spunbonded web being of polyester.

[0006] DE 298 19 014 U1 discloses adhesive tapes based on a web which isconsolidated with jets of air and/or water.

[0007] DE 199 23 399 U1 discloses an adhesive tape having a tapelikebacking of nonwoven web material, which is coated on at least one sidewith an adhesive, the web being a staple fiber web which is consolidatedmechanically or is wet-laid. Between 2% and 50% of the fibers of the webare fusible fibers, specifically homopolymer, copolymer or bicomponentfibers having a relatively low softening or melting point. It ismentioned by way of example that the fusible fibers of the web are ofpolypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, polyester or copolymers.

[0008] Another adhesive tape having a tapelike backing of web materialis disclosed in DE 199 37 446 A1. The adhesive tape is coated on atleast one side with an adhesive, the web being a staple fiber web whichis consolidated mechanically or is wet-laid. Here, the furtherconsolidation of the staple fiber web is accomplished by addition ofbinders, such as powders, films, meshes or binding fibers, for example.The binders may have been dissolved in water or organic solvents and/ormay be present in dispersion form. The binders are preferably employedas binder dispersions such as elastomers or such as thermosets in theform of phenolic or melamine resin dispersions, as dispersions ofnatural or synthetic rubbers, or as dispersions of thermoplastics suchas acrylates, vinyl acetates, polyurethanes, styrene-butadiene systems,PVC, and copolymers thereof.

[0009] WO 99/24518 A1 describes an adhesive tape where the backingmaterial is a web which acquires its adhesive tape suitability onlythrough the specific selection of fibers or filaments having a lineardensity of more than 15 denier and also through a film layer which isextruded on additionally.

[0010] DE 197 32 958 A1 discloses an adhesive tape for wrapping elongateproduct, such as cable harnesses or plastic sections, which has atapelike backing bounded by two lateral edges and provided on at leastone side with a self-adhesive layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive(PSA). The chemical composition of the PSA is such that, under gentleapplied pressure on two adhesive layers lying one above the other, theinterfaces are dissolved and the adhesive films coalesce completely toform a homogeneous PSA mass. The invention depicted here also embraces amethod of wrapping the elongate product. According to that method, theelongate product is positioned lengthways, in the region of a section ofthe adhesive tape, on a side of a tapelike backing of the adhesive tapethat is provided with a self-adhesive layer, and then the adhesive tapeis bonded in such a way that at least two adhesive regions of thetapelike backing are stuck to one another on the side provided with theadhesive layer in such a way that interfaces of the adhesive layerdissolve to form a homogeneous mass. The result is therefore a pennantwhich protrudes from the wrapped product and which, especially under therestricted space conditions in automobile construction, is highlyundesirable and harbors the potential risk that, when the cable harnessis drawn through restricted apertures or passages, in the bodywork, forexample, the wrap will remain hanging and tear off, or at least thecovering will be damaged. This is to be avoided. Moreover, the majorityof the prior art solutions, particularly the adhesive tape with aptitudefor lengthwise wrapping in accordance with DE 197 32 958 A1, have thedisadvantage that in order to divide them into practical unit lengths itis necessary to utilize processing aids such as scissors, cutters ordispensers, which contributes to adverse effects in the processingoperation, or else are tearable by hand only when a comparatively highforce is employed. Especially when the user requires a large number ofshort individual sections in a day, and so has to sever the adhesivetape frequently using his or her fingers, signs of tiredness quicklyoccur.

[0011] Moreover, modern cable harnesses have a very large number ofbranches, going off substantially at uniform intervals from the mainharness, so that the main harness has to be wrapped from branch tobranch.

[0012] As a result of manual operation, it is impossible to avoidsituations in which, although the required sections of wrapping materialtend to be of equal length, the user separates off sections of differentlengths, some of which are too short and therefore do not cover all ofthe length between two branches, necessitating a second piece, or aretoo long, so necessitating a second separation of the extra piece beforethe piece now adapted to the required length can be used.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a wrap whichpermits the particularly simple, inexpensive, and rapid wrapping ofelongate product such that the disadvantages of the prior art do notoccur, or at least not to the same extent.

[0014] This object is achieved by a wrap as set out in the main claim.The subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the wrap, tomethods of using the wrap, and to a cable harness wrapped using the wrapof the invention.

[0015] The invention accordingly provides a wrap for wrapping elongateproduct, especially cable harnesses, with a preferably textile sheath,wherein there is a self-adhesive tape present on at least one edgeregion of the sheath that is narrow in comparison to the width of thesheath, said tape being adhered on the sheath in such a way that itextends over one of the longitudinal edges of the sheath, the textilesheath and the adhesive tape having one or more weakening linessubstantially at right angles to the running direction, so that the wrapis relatively easy to tear by hand.

[0016] In one first advantageous embodiment of the invention the wrapcomprises a second self-adhesive tape on an edge region of the sheaththat is narrow in comparison to the width of the sheath, the tape beingadhered on the sheath in such a way that the adhesive tape extends overthe other of the two longitudinal edges of the sheath, the secondadhesive tape having one or more weakening lines substantially at rightangles to the running direction, said lines being arranged congruentlywith the weakening lines in the textile sheath and in the first adhesivetape.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the twoadhesive tapes are disposed on the top face of the sheath.

[0018] It has further proven outstandingly suitable if one adhesive tapeis disposed on the top side of the sheath and the other adhesive tape isdisposed on the underside of the sheath.

[0019] In order to achieve a further improvement in the handtearability, in one preferred embodiment of the invention the weakeninglines extend over the entire width of the first adhesive tape, of thesecond adhesive tape and/or of the textile sheath.

[0020] In order to simplify operation for the user, the weakening linesare aligned at right angles to the running direction of the wrap and/orare disposed at regular intervals.

[0021] The wrap is particularly easy to sever if the weakening lines areconfigured in the form of perforations. In this way it is possiblebetween the individual sections to obtain edges which are verylint-free, so preventing unwanted fraying.

[0022] The weakening lines can be produced in a particularlyadvantageous way either discontinuously using flat dies or cross-runningperforating wheels or continuously using rotary systems such as spikedrollers or punch rollers, with or without the use of a counter roller(Vulkollan roller), forming the counterwheel during cutting. Furtherpossibilities include cutting technologies which are controlled tooperate intermittently, such as lasers, ultrasound, high pressure waterjets, etc., for example. Where, in the case of laser or ultrasoundcutting, some of the energy is introduced into the backing material inthe form of heat, it is possible to melt the fibers in the area ofcutting, thereby very largely preventing disruptive fraying, and givingsharply contoured cut edges. Latter methods are also suitable forobtaining specific cut edge geometries, such as concave or convex cutedges, for example.

[0023] The height of the spikes or blades on the punch rollers ispreferably 150% of the sum of the adhesive tape thickness plus thesheath thickness.

[0024] The hole/bridge ratio in the perforation—that is, the ratio ofthe number of millimeters where the material is severed to the number ofmillimeters where the material is held together—determines how easy itis to tear, in particular, the fibers of the backing material. Thisratio also has an ultimate effect on to what extent the torn edge islint-free. The bridge width is preferably approximately 2 mm and the cutwidth between the bridges is approximately 10 mm; in other words,bridges 2 mm wide alternate with incisions 10 mm long. The hole/bridgeratio, accordingly, is preferably 2:10. With this weakening of thematerial it is possible to achieve a sufficiently low tear force.

[0025] The wrap of the invention is to be used with advantage forwrapping elongate product, especially cable harnesses, with a textilesheath, the elongate product being enveloped by the sheath in the axialdirection and there being a self-adhesive tape present on at least oneedge region of the sheath that is narrow in comparison to the width ofthe sheath, in the axial direction of the product. The adhesive tapehere is adhered on the sheath in such a way that it extends over thelongitudinal edge of the sheath. Enveloping of the product with thesheath takes place in such a way that the self-adhesive tape adheressubstantially to the sheath itself. The textile sheath and the adhesivetape comprise, substantially at right angles to the running direction,one or more weakening lines, so that the wrap is relatively easy to tearby hand.

[0026] In another advantageous embodiment a single-sidedly self-adhesivetape is present which is adhered on the sheath in such a way that theadhesive is on the inside relative to the center axis of the product.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment a single-sidedlyself-adhesive tape is present which is adhered on the sheath in such away that the adhesive is on the outside relative to the center axis ofthe product.

[0028] It has further been found advantageous if the single-sidedlyself-adhesive tape is adhered on the first edge region of the sheath insuch a way that the adhesive is on the inside relative to the centeraxis of the product, and if a second self-adhesive tape is adhered onthe second edge region of the sheath in such a way that the adhesive ison the outside relative to the center axis of the product, theenveloping of the product taking place in such a way that the twoadhesive tapes each adhere to the sheath, the second adhesive tapehaving, substantially at right angles to the running direction, one ormore weakening lines disposed so as to be congruent with the weakeninglines in the textile sheath and in the first adhesive tape.

[0029] Likewise unexpectedly for the skilled worker, many advantagesarise if the single-sidedly self-adhesive tape is adhered on the firstedge region of the sheath in such a way that the adhesive is on theinside relative to the center axis of the product and if a secondself-adhesive tape is adhered on the second edge region of the sheath insuch a way that the adhesive is on the inside relative to the centeraxis of the product, the enveloping of the product taking place in sucha way that the first adhesive tape also adheres to the product and thesecond adhesive tape adheres substantially to the sheath.

[0030] The first adhesive tape, which is used for easy fixing of thewrap to the product, may be narrower than the second adhesive tape,which bonds the wrap on the sheath.

[0031] Likewise carrying surprising advantages is a further form of anenveloping tape of this kind, wherein the first adhesive tape isdouble-sidedly self-adhesive and thus has active bonding areas directedboth inward and outward. The second adhesive tape, which may also be adouble-sidedly adhesive tape, is positioned on the second edge region ofthe sheath in such a way that the adhesive is on the inside relative tothe center axis of the product.

[0032] The product is enveloped so that one side of the double-sidedlyself-adhesive tape permits the enveloping tape to be fixed on theproduct while the second side of the double-sidedly self-adhesive tapeand also the second adhesive tape are available for bonding on thesheath or adhesive on adhesive.

[0033] For the embodiment provided with adhesive tape on one side,enveloping of the product may take place in such a way that the adhesiveof the adhesive tape

[0034] is adhered only on the sheath,

[0035] is adhered to some extent on the sheath and to some extent on theproduct, or

[0036] in each case is partly adhered on the sheath and partly initiallyleft open to allow for later fixing, to metal bodywork panels, forexample.

[0037] For the embodiment equipped on both sides with single-sidedlyself-adhesive tape in each case, the product may be enveloped in such away that the adhesives of the two adhesive tapes

[0038] each adhere partly to the sheath and partly to themselves

[0039] adhere only on the sheath.

[0040] For the embodiment equipped at both edges with adhesive tape, atleast one adhesive tape having a double-sidedly self-adhesive coating,the product may be enveloped in such a way that the adhesives which arenot used for bonding directly on the product

[0041] each adhere only on the sheath

[0042] each adhere partly on the sheath and partly to themselves.

[0043] The bonding of the adhesive tape or tapes takes place preferablysuch that there is a 50% overlap of the adhesive tape with the sheath.

[0044] As sheath and/or backing material for the adhesive tape it ispossible to use all known textile backings such as wovens, knits ornonwoven webs; the term “web” embraces at least textile sheetlikestructures in accordance with EN 29092 (1988) and also stitchbondednonwovens and similar systems. Sheath and backing need not necessarilybe of the same materials.

[0045] It is likewise possible to use spacer fabrics, including wovensand knits, with lamination. Spacer fabrics of this kind are disclosed inEP 0 071 212 B1. Spacer fabrics are matlike layer structures comprisinga cover layer of a fiber or filament fleece, an underlayer andindividual retaining fibers or bundles of such fibers between theselayers, said fibers being distributed over the area of the layerstructure, being needled through the particle layer, and joining thecover layer and the underlayer to one another. As an additional thoughnot mandatory feature, the retaining fibers in accordance with EP 0 071212 B1 comprise inert mineral particles, such as sand, gravel or thelike, for example. The holding fibers needled through the particle layerhold the cover layer and the underlayer at a distance from one anotherand are joined to the cover layer and the underlayer.

[0046] Spacer wovens or spacer knits are described, inter alia, in twoarticles, namely

[0047] an article from the journal kettenwirk-praxis 3/93, 1993, pages59 to 63,

[0048] “Raschelgewirkte Abstandsgewirke” [Raschel-knitted spacer knits]and

[0049] an article from the journal kettenwirk-praxis 1/94, 1994, pages73 to 76,

[0050] “Raschelgewirkte Abstandsgewirke”,

[0051] the content of said articles being included here by reference andbeing part of this disclosure and invention.

[0052] Suitable nonwovens include, in particular, consolidated staplefiber webs, but also filament webs, meltblown webs, and spunbonded webs,which generally require additional consolidation. Known consolidationmethods for webs are mechanical, thermal, and chemical consolidation.Whereas with mechanical consolidations the fibers are mostly heldtogether purely mechanically by entanglement of the individual fibers,by the interlooping of fiber bundles or by the stitching-in ofadditional threads, it is possible by thermal and by chemical techniquesto obtain adhesive (with binder) or cohesive (binderless) fiber-fiberbonds, Given appropriate formulation and an appropriate process regime,these bonds may be restricted exclusively, or at least predominantly, tothe fiber nodal points, so that a stable, three-dimensional network isformed while retaining the loose open structure in the web.

[0053] Webs which have proven particularly advantageous are thoseconsolidated in particular by overstitching with separate threads or byinterlooping.

[0054] Consolidated webs of this kind are produced, for example, onstitchbonding machines of the “Malifleece” type from the company KarlMeyer, formerly Malimo, and can be obtained, inter alia, from thecompanies Naue Fasertechnik and Techtex GmbH. A Malifleece ischaracterized in that a cross-laid web is consolidated by the formationof loops from fibers of the web. The backing used may also be a web ofthe Kunit or Multiknit type. A Kunit web is characterized in that itoriginates from the processing of a longitudinally oriented fiber web toform a sheetlike structure which has the heads and legs of loops on oneside and, on the other, loop feet or pile fiber folds, but possessesneither threads nor prefabricated sheetlike structures. A web of thiskind has been produced, inter alia, for many years, for example onstitchbonding machines of the “Kunitvlies” type from the company KarlMayer. A further characterizing feature of this web is that, as alongitudinal-fiber web, it is able to absorb high tensile forces in thelongitudinal direction. The characteristic feature of a Multiknit webrelative to the Kunit is that the web is consolidated on both the topand bottom sides by virtue of the double-sided needle punching. Finally,stitchbonded webs are also suitable as an intermediate forming a sheathand an adhesive tape of the invention. A stitchbonded web is formed froma nonwoven material having a large number of stitches extending parallelto one another. These stitches are brought about by the incorporation,by stitching or knitting, of continuous textile threads. For this typeof web, stitchbonding machines of the “Maliwatt” type from the companyKarl Mayer, formerly Malimo, are known.

[0055] Also particularly advantageous is a staple fiber web which ismechanically preconsolidated in the first step or is a wet-laid web laidhydrodynamically, in which between 2% and 50% of the web fibers arefusible fibers, in particular between 5% and 40% of the fibers of theweb.

[0056] A web of this kind is characterized in that the fibers are laidwet or, for example, a staple fiber web is preconsolidated by theformation of loops from fibers of the web or by needling, stitching orair-jet or water-jet treatment. In a second step, thermofixing takesplace, with the strength of the web being increased again by the(partial) melting of the fusible fibers.

[0057] For the inventive use of nonwovens, the adhesive consolidation ofmechanically preconsolidated or wet-laid webs is of particular interest,it being possible for said consolidation to take place by way of theaddition of binder in solid, liquid, foamed or pastelike form. A greatdiversity of theoretical embodiments is possible: for example, solidbinders as powders for trickling in; as a sheet or as a mesh, or in theform of binding fibers. Liquid binders may be applied as solutions inwater or organic solvent or as a dispersion. For adhesive consolidation,binder dispersions are predominantly chosen: thermosets in the form ofphenolic or melamine resin dispersions, elastomers as dispersions ofnatural or synthetic rubbers, or, usually, dispersions of thermoplasticssuch as acrylates, vinyl acetates, polyurethanes, styrene-butadienesystems, PVC, and the like, and also copolymers thereof. Normally, thedispersions are anionically or nonionically stabilized, although incertain cases cationic dispersions may also be of advantage.

[0058] The binder may be applied in a manner which is in accordance withthe prior art and for which it is possible to consult, for example,standard works of coating or of nonwoven technology such as“Vliesstoffe” (Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1982) or“Textiltechnik-Vliesstofferzeugung” (Arbeitgeberkreis Gesamttextil,Eschborn, 1996).

[0059] For mechanically preconsolidated webs which already possesssufficient composite strength, the single-sided spray application of abinder is appropriate for effecting specific changes in the surfaceproperties. Such a procedure is not only sparing in its use of binderbut also greatly reduces the energy requirement for drying. Since nosqueeze rolls are required and the dispersion remains predominantly inthe upper region of the web material, unwanted hardening and stiffeningof the web can very largely be avoided. For sufficient adhesiveconsolidation of the web backing, the addition of binder in the order ofmagnitude of from 1% to 50%, in particular from 3% to 20%, based on theweight of fiber web, is generally required.

[0060] The binder may be added as early as during the manufacture of theweb, in the course of mechanical preconsolidation, or else in a separateprocess step, which may be carried out in-line or off-line. Followingthe addition of the binder it is necessary temporarily to generate acondition in which the binder becomes adhesive and adhesively connectsthe fibers—this may be achieved during the drying, for example, ofdispersions, or else by heating, with further possibilities forvariation existing by way of areal or partial application of pressure.The binder may be activated in known drying tunnels, or else, given anappropriate selection of binder, by means of infrared radiation, UVradiation, ultrasound, high-frequency radiation or the like. For thesubsequent end use it is sensible, although not absolutely necessary,for the binder to have lost its tack following the end of the webproduction process. It is advantageous that, as a result of the thermaltreatment, volatile components such as fiber assistants are removed,giving a web having favorable fogging values so that when a low-foggingadhesive is used it is possible to produce an adhesive tape havingparticularly advantageous fogging values, so that the sheath as wellexhibits a very low fogging value.

[0061] A further, special form of adhesive consolidation consists inactivating the binder by incipient dissolution or swelling. In this caseit is also possible in principle for the fibers themselves, or admixedspecial fibers, to take over the function of the binder. Since, however,such solvents are objectionable on environmental grounds, and/or areproblematic in their handling, for the majority of polymeric fibers,this process is not often employed.

[0062] Starting materials envisaged for the textile backing include, inparticular, polyester, polypropylene, viscose or cotton fibers. Thepresent invention is, however, not restricted to said materials; ratherit is possible to use a large number of other fibers to produce the web,this being evident to the skilled worker without any need for inventiveactivity.

[0063] A sheath made of paper, of a laminate, of a film (for example,PP, PE, PET, PA, PU), of foam, or of a foamed film is also suitable forwrapping the elongate product. Said materials may also be used withadvantage as backing material for the adhesive tape.

[0064] These nontextile sheetlike materials are particularly appropriatewhen specific requirements necessitate such a modification of theinvention. Films are generally thinner in comparison to textiles, forexample, and as a result of the closed layer offer additional protectionagainst penetration of chemicals and service fluids such as oil,gasoline, antifreeze, and the like into the actual cable area, and canbe substantially adapted to requirements by an appropriate selection ofthe material from which they are constructed: with polyurethanes andpolyolefin copolymers, for example, flexible and elastic wraps can beproduced; with polyester and polyamides, good abrasion resistance andtemperature resistance are achieved.

[0065] Foams or foamed films, on the other hand, possess the qualitiesof more substantial space filling and of good soundproofing—where alength of cable is laid, for example, in a ductlike or tunnellike areain the vehicle, a wrapping tape of appropriate thickness andsoundproofing can prevent disruptive flapping and vibration from theoutset.

[0066] The invention finally embraces an elongate product, especially acable harness, wrapped with a wrap of the invention, the elongateproduct being enveloped by the sheath in the axial direction and therebeing a self-adhesive tape present on at least one edge region of thesheath that is narrow in comparison to the width of the sheath, in theaxial direction of the product, the adhesive tape being adhered to thesheath in such a way that it extends over the longitudinal edge of thesheath. The product is enveloped with the sheath in such a way that theself-adhesive tape adheres substantially on the sheath itself. Thetextile sheath and the adhesive tape comprise, substantially at rightangles to the running direction, one or more weakening lines, so thatthe wrap is relatively easy to tear by hand.

[0067] For use in connection with cable harnesses which are used inautomobile construction, particularly advantageous widths for the sheathare 80, 105, and 135 mm, although the sheath may also be produced invariable widths depending on the particular application; the length isguided by the design of the cable harness. The overall product of theinvention, comprising adhesive tape and sheath, i.e., all embodiments ofthe wrap, may be provided in fixed lengths, such as by the meter, forexample, or else as a continuous product on rolls (Archimedian spirals).For bonding, use is made in particular of strips of the adhesive tapehaving a width of from 15 to 50 mm.

[0068] In order to produce one particularly advantageous wrap, a firstroll of adhesive tape is unrolled mechanically and the adhesive tape issupplied to the roll with the uncoated textile wrapper. This second rollrotates in such a way that the speed of the adhesive tape and of thewrapper to be unrolled are identical. The adhesive tape is placed on oneedge of the wrapper in such a way that the adhesive tape bonds on thewrapper to an extent of preferably 50%, while the remaining 50% of theadhesive of the adhesive tape extends freely beyond said edge. Thewrapper ensheathed with the first adhesive tape runs over a deflectingroller. Where necessary, a second roll of adhesive tape is unrolled atthe same time and supplied to the deflecting roller. The second adhesivetape is placed on the other, free edge of the wrapper, again so that theoverlap of adhesive tape with wrapper is preferably 50%. As a result ofthe deflecting roller, the two adhesive compositions are offset from oneanother by 180°. Before the wrap is rolled up, in a further workstep thepreferred perforation takes place by means of a spiked roller. Thisworkstep can be carried out separately or, on grounds of cost, in lineby way of, for example, an accompanying spiked roller or blade roller.This production of the composite product can be carried out either bythe end user on site themselves, by way of appropriate dispensers, orelse the product can be supplied as a prefabricated total system, in theform of rolls.

[0069] The inventive wrapping of the preferred cable harness provides itwith outstanding protection and vibration damping. The textile sheath islightweight, and so very little weight is added to the cable harness,especially in comparison with the conventional methods of wrapping,namely the spiral winding of an adhesive tape around the bundled cables,and extensible, so that the cable harness as a whole can be shaped. Indifficult situations, accordingly, it can be adapted outstandingly tothe available space conditions. As a result of its originally circularor oval cross section, the cable harness of the invention makes iteasier to pass the cables without disruption through bores, holes,apertures, and the like, and then allows it to be readily deformed intoother geometries and cross sections, so that it can be adapted ideallyto the local circumstances. Thus it is even possible to obtain avirtually flat profile when laying cables under the carpet, in the floorassembly, for example, without having to incorporate the different crosssections during actual manufacture of the cable harness.

[0070] As compared with conventional spiral winding, longitudinalenvelopment of this kind is not only simpler and quicker to apply butalso saves on adhesive, as a result of the fact that adhesive tapes areused only in the marginal region. In addition to the cost savings, thereis also a reduction in fogging by the amount of adhesive saved;similarly, problems in compatibility between adhesive and cable wrap,such as may occur particularly with PVC-free cables and adhesives thatare not specially suitable, are reduced on account of the fact that, inthe case of the longitudinal wrapping of the invention, there is littlearea of contact, if any, between adhesive and cable insulation.

[0071] It proves further advantageous that in the region of the start ofthe bond up to three plies of backing may lie one above the other; whereparticularly stringent requirements are imposed on the dampingproperties or the abrasion resistance, and are limited to subregions ofthe cross section, the point of overlap can be positioned in accordancewith the requirements; the area of multiple plies can easily becontrolled by the selection of the width of the adhesive tape and alsoby the bonding technique.

[0072] Finally, the inventive mode of wrapping prevents creases forming.

[0073] When using embodiments having self-adhesive regions which areused directly on the product for the purpose of fixing, a further effectachieved in addition to the simplification of the wrapping operationitself is that the hoselike covering on the product, usually cableharnesses consisting of various individual cables, is secured againstslippage, shifting, and the like in the course of production, transit,and assembly and later during long-term use.

[0074] The inventive solution also has the advantages that the cableharness in question is a clean, pennant-free cable harness which affordsgood surface protection, high bundling power, and good soundproofingand, in the case of thick cable harnesses, very high deformability inthe cross-sectional direction.

[0075] Finally, practicality is distinctly increased as compared withthe known systems, particularly if the cable harnesses have a very largenumber of branches which branch off from the parent harnesssubstantially at uniform intervals, with the consequence that the parentharness must be wrapped from branch to branch. Specifically when theweakening lines are arranged at uniform intervals, equal-length sectionsof the wrapped product can be achieved readily simply by pulling on theunwound product. Pulling may even take place in the axial direction, sothat the wrap is separated purely by tension. The user is able to removethe sections of predetermined length from the roll of the wrap withoutexpending high levels of force.

[0076] The invention is illustrated below with reference to a number offigures, without thereby wishing to subject the invention to anyunnecessary restriction.

[0077] In the figures,

[0078]FIG. 1 shows a wrap of the invention, composed of a sheathequipped with two adhesive tape sections,

[0079]FIG. 2 shows a cable harness wrapped in accordance with theinvention,

[0080]FIG. 3 shows a sheath equipped with an adhesive tape section, withthe adhesive facing outward,

[0081]FIG. 4 shows a sheath equipped with an adhesive tape section, withthe adhesive facing inward,

[0082]FIG. 5 shows a second wrap of the invention, composed of a sheathequipped with two adhesive tape sections,

[0083]FIG. 6 shows the product wrapped with the wrap of the inventionfrom FIG. 5, and

[0084]FIG. 7 shows a further wrap of the invention, composed of a sheathequipped with two adhesive tape sections, one adhesive tape sectionbeing double-sidedly adhesive.

[0085]FIG. 1 shows in cross section a wrap with a textile sheath 1 whichcan be used to wrap the elongate product, especially cable harnesses. Asingle-sidedly self-adhesive tape 2 is adhered in the axial direction ofthe product to at least one edge region of the sheath 1, said edgeregion being narrow in comparison to the width of the sheath 1, in sucha way that the adhesive is on the inside relative to the center axis ofthe product to be wrapped (cable harness 5). Adhered on the second edgeregion of the sheath 1 is a second self-adhesive tape 3, adhered in sucha way that the adhesive 32 is on the outside relative to the center axisof the product. The adhesive tape 3 is composed substantially of thepreferably textile backing 31 and the adhesive 32.

[0086]FIG. 2 shows an enveloped cable harness 5 composed of individualcables, in this case seven. The cable harness 5 is wrapped in such a waythat the adhesives 32 of the two adhesive tapes 2, 3 each adhere to thesheath 1 and to some extent to themselves; in the case depicted, thebonding of the adhesive tape on the sheath is less than 50%.

[0087] By omitting the adhesive 2, as shown in FIG. 3, a furtherembodiment which exists as a result of an outwardly oriented adhesivestrip is the possibility of fixing the longitudinally wrapped cableharness to surrounding surfaces—to metal bodywork panels, for example—inorder thus to prevent slippage, flapping or the like.

[0088] In another special embodiment it is possible by omitting theadhesive tape 3 (see FIG. 4)—i.e., only one edge of the sheath isprovided with an adhesive tape—to retain a narrow adhesive region of theadhesive tape, pointing inwardly to the cable harness, which sticks toone or more individual cables of the cable harness and thus fixes theconfiguration. Slippage of the wrap is therefore largely prevented.

[0089]FIG. 5 shows in cross section a second wrap with a textile sheath1 which can be used to wrap elongate product, especially cableharnesses. A single-sidedly self-adhesive tape 2 is adhered in the axialdirection of the product to at least one edge region of the sheath 1,said edge region being narrow in comparison to the width of the sheath1, in such a way that the adhesive is on the inside relative to thecenter axis of the product to be wrapped (cable harness 5). Adhered onthe second edge region of the sheath 1 is a second self-adhesive tape 3,adhered in such a way that the adhesive 32 is likewise on the insiderelative to the center axis of the product.

[0090]FIG. 6 shows the product 5 wrapped with wrapping of the inventionfrom FIG. 5, especially the region which fixes the envelope in itsposition. During the wrapping procedure, the first adhesive tape 2serves to affix the sheath 1 or the entire wrap easily on the product 5so that the wrap does not slip. The first adhesive tape 2 is narrowerthan the second adhesive tape 3 which fixes the sheath 1 and thus theentire wrap around the product 5.

[0091]FIG. 7 shows in cross section a further wrap with a textile sheath1 which can be used to wrap elongate product, especially cableharnesses. The wrap corresponds essentially to that of FIG. 5, exceptthat on the second edge region of the sheath 1 there is a secondself-adhesive tape 3, which is double-sided, i.e., has two coatings ofadhesive, 32 and 33. Otherwise the adhesive tape 3 is composedessentially of the preferably textile backing 31.

[0092]FIG. 8 shows in plan view the second wrap from FIG. 5 of a textilesheath 1 which can be used to wrap elongate product, especially cableharnesses. As a result of a large number of perforation lines 81disposed at regular intervals, the wrap is divided into sections ofequal length which can easily be separated from the roll of the wrap.

What is claimed is
 1. A wrap for wrapping elongate product, especiallycable harnesses, with a preferably textile sheath, wherein there is aself-adhesive tape present on at least one edge region of the sheaththat is narrow in comparison to the width of the sheath, said tape beingadhered on the sheath in such a way that it extends over one of thelongitudinal edges of the sheath, the textile sheath and the adhesivetape having one or more weakening lines substantially at right angles tothe running direction, so that the wrap is relatively easy to tear byhand.
 2. The wrap as claimed in claim 1, wherein on an edge region ofthe sheath that is narrow in comparison to the width of the sheath thereis a second self-adhesive tape adhered on the sheath in such a way thatit extends over the other of the two longitudinal edges of the sheath,the second adhesive tape having one or more weakening linessubstantially at right angles to the running direction, said lines beingarranged congruently with the weakening lines in the textile sheath andin the first adhesive tape.
 3. The wrap as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe two adhesive tapes are disposed on the top side of the sheath. 4.The wrap as claimed in claim 2, wherein one adhesive tape is disposed onthe top side of the sheath and the other adhesive tape is disposed onthe underside of the sheath.
 5. The wrap as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe sheath and/or backing material for the adhesive tape compriseswovens, knits or nonwovens consolidated in particular by overstitchingwith separate threads or by interlooping or waterjets or needles.
 6. Thewrap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive tape has a width offrom 10 to 100 mm, in particular from 15 to 50 mm.
 7. The wrap asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the weakening lines extend over the entirewidth of the first adhesive tape, of the second adhesive tape and/or ofthe textile sheath.
 8. The wrap as claimed in claim 1, wherein theweakening lines are aligned at right angles to the running direction ofthe wrap.
 9. The wrap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weakening linesare configured in the form of perforations.
 10. The wrap as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the weakening lines are disposed at regular intervals.11. The wrap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weakening lines areproduced using spiked rollers or punch rollers.
 12. Method of using awrap as claimed in claim 1 for wrapping elongate product, especiallycable harnesses, with a textile sheath, the elongate product beingenveloped by the sheath in the axial direction and there being aself-adhesive tape present on at least one edge region of the sheaththat is narrow in comparison to the width of the sheath, in the axialdirection of the product, the adhesive tape being adhered on the sheathin such a way that it extends over the longitudinal edge of the sheath,and enveloping of the product with the sheath takes place in such a waythat the self-adhesive tape adheres substantially to the sheath itself,where the textile sheath and the adhesive tape comprise, substantiallyat right angles to the running direction, one or more weakening lines,so that the wrap is relatively easy to tear by hand.
 13. Method asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the single-sidedly self-adhesive tape isadhered on the sheath in such a way that the adhesive is on the insiderelative to the center axis of the product.
 14. Method as claimed inclaim 12, wherein the single-sidedly self-adhesive tape is adhered onthe sheath in such a way that the adhesive is on the outside relative tothe center axis of the product.
 15. Method as claimed in any claim 12,wherein the single-sidedly self-adhesive tape is adhered on the firstedge region of the sheath in such a way that the adhesive is on theinside relative to the center axis of the product, and wherein a secondself-adhesive tape is adhered on the second edge region of the sheath insuch a way that the adhesive is on the outside relative to the centeraxis of the product, the enveloping of the product taking place in sucha way that the two adhesive tapes each adhere to the sheath, the secondadhesive tape having, substantially at right angles to the runningdirection, one or more weakening lines disposed so as to be congruentwith the weakening lines in the textile sheath and in the first adhesivetape.
 16. Method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the single-sidedlyself-adhesive tape is adhered on the first edge region of the sheath insuch a way that the adhesive is on the inside relative to the centeraxis of the product and wherein a second self-adhesive tape is adheredon the second edge region of the sheath in such a way that the adhesiveis on the inside relative to the center axis of the product, theenveloping of the product taking place in such a way that the firstadhesive tape also adheres to the product and the second adhesive tapeadheres substantially to the sheath.
 17. Method as claimed in claim 12,wherein the product is enveloped in such a way that the two adhesivetapes each adhere partly to the sheath and partly to themselves.
 18. Anelongate product, especially a cable harness, wrapped with a textilesheath, the elongate product being enveloped by the sheath in the axialdirection and there being a self-adhesive tape present on at least oneedge region of the sheath that is narrow in comparison to the width ofthe sheath, in the axial direction of the product, the adhesive tapebeing adhered to the sheath in such a way that it extends over thelongitudinal edge of the sheath, the product being enveloped with thesheath in such a way that the self-adhesive tape adheres substantiallyon the sheath itself, where the textile sheath and the adhesive tapecomprise, substantially at right angles to the running direction, one ormore weakening lines, so that the wrap is relatively easy to tear byhand.